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IVOR E. SAMSON (State Bar No. 52767)
MARY KAY LACEY (State Bar No. 142812)
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP
525 Market Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-2708
Telephone: (415) 882-5000
Facsimile: (415) 882-0300
DAVID H. STERN (State Bar No. 196408)
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP
601 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1500
Los Angeles, California 90017-5704
Telephone: (213) 623-9300
Facsimile: (213) 623-9924
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[Counsel for Petitioners Continued on Next Page]
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Attorneys for Petitioners
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SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
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COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
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STUDENT ADVOCATES FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION; LA RAZA STUDENT
ORGANIZATION; and JENNIE DOE,
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Petitioners,
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Case No.
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE [Code
of Civ. Proc. §1085]
v.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY and
CHARLES B. REED, in his official capacity as
Chancellor of the California State University,
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Respondents.
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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DOVIE YOANA KING, CSB #216626
CYNTHIA VALENZUELA, CSB #186804
MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE
AND EDUCATIONAL FUND
634 S. Spring Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Telephone: (213) 629-2512
Facsimile: (213) 629-0266
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DORA LUNA, CSB #187970
RICHARD A. ROTHSCHILD, CSB #067356
ROBERT D. NEWMAN, CSB # 086534
WESTERN CENTER ON LAW & POVERTY, INC.
3701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 208
Los Angeles, California 90010
Telephone: (213) 487-7211
Facsimile: (213) 487-0242
LINTON JOAQUIN, CSB # 073547
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2850
Los Angeles, California 90010
Telephone: (213) 639-3900
Facsimile: (213) 639-3911
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TANYA BRODER, CSB #136141
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
405 14th Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, California 94612
Telephone: (510) 663-8282, ext. 307
Facsimile: (510) 663-2028
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Attorneys for Petitioners
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2
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
INTRODUCTION
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1.
For generations of Americans, a college education has been the stepping stone to
success. With the advent of a global economy, a college degree is now more important than ever
since well paying jobs increasingly require intellectual and technical skills.
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2.
The California State University (“Cal State”) system, however, denies equal educational
opportunities to many California residents by not allowing them, like other State residents, to pay a
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lower tuition and to receive financial aid to attend a Cal State University. The Cal State system
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discriminates against citizen minors who are living at home with their parents and whose parents are
10
undocumented. In effect, the Cal State system is punishing minors, who are both United States
11
citizens and California residents, solely because of their parents’ immigration status.
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3.
Petitioner JENNIE DOE is one such victim of these discriminatory policies. She was
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born in Los Angeles County, has lived in California her entire life, and has multiple documented
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ties to the State, such as a government-issued California identification card. Nevertheless, the Cal
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State system has refused to treat Petitioner DOE the same as other California residents because of a
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finding that her parents are undocumented. Petitioner DOE, whose family is low income, can ill
18
afford to pay all the additional money to attend Cal State University Los Angeles.
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4.
The other Petitioners in this case are STUDENT ADVOCATES FOR HIGHER
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EDUCATION, a student organization at San Jose State University whose members include students
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classified as “nonresidents” due to immigration status, and LA RAZA STUDENT
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ORGANIZATION, a student organization at San Francisco State University that advocates for
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higher education and financial aid opportunities for underprivileged students.
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5.
The Petitioners have brought this lawsuit to challenge the Cal State system’s policies of
discriminating against California residents with regard to tuition and financial aid on the basis of
their parents’ immigration status. Denying citizen minors California residency when they are
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
1
United States citizens and California residents, solely because of their parents’ immigration status,
2
violates Education Code §§ 68017, 68062, 69433.5 and 69535, and equal protection of the laws
3
guaranteed by the California Constitution.
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6.
Petitioners seek a writ of mandate pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 1085 ordering
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Respondents, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY and
CHARLES B. REED, to cease denying California residency status to citizen minors solely because
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of the immigration status of their parents; and to refund Petitioner DOE the tuition and fees paid
9
because Respondents denied her California residency.1
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PARTIES
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7.
Petitioner STUDENT ADVOCATES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (SAHE) is an
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organization at the San Jose State University whose members include students classified as
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“nonresidents” due to immigration status. As part of its mission, SAHE raises awareness about
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higher education and financial aid opportunities for students in California, actively supporting,
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among other activities, legislation to afford students an equal opportunity to compete for state
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financial aid assistance. SAHE has a beneficial interest as a member of the public in the
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performance by Respondents of their legal duties.
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8.
Petitioner LA RAZA STUDENT ORGANIZATION is an organization at the San
Francisco State University whose membership includes students classified as “nonresidents” due to
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immigration status. Founded in 1968, LA RAZA STUDENT ORGANIZATION seeks to promote
understanding, tolerance and appreciation of cultural difference and to advance the understanding
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Without conceding that the Government Claims Act, Government Code § 900 et seq,. applies to Petitioner DOE’s
refund claim, she may seek leave at a later date to amend the petition to allege that she has presented her claims to the
Board of Control and to report on the Board of Control’s response to that presentation.
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
1
and interest of Latino populations in the United States. One of its central activities is to advocate
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for higher education and financial aid opportunities, actively supporting legislation to afford
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“nonresident” students an equal opportunity to compete for state financial aid assistance. LA
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RAZA STUDENT ORGANIZATION has a beneficial interest as a member of the public in the
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performance by Respondents of their legal duties.
9.
Petitioner JENNIE DOE is a first year undergraduate student enrolled at the Cal State
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University, Los Angeles. She is a native born United States citizen and life long California resident
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who resides in El Monte, California with her parents and four younger siblings. As a result of being
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denied “resident” status solely because of her parents’ immigration status, she was ineligible to
receive state financial aid assistance. JENNIE DOE has a beneficial interest as a member of the
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public in the performance by Respondents of their legal duties.
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10.
Respondent THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE
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UNIVERSITY is responsible for the oversight of the Cal State University System. The Board
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adopts rules, regulations, and policies governing the Cal State University. The Board further has
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authority over curricular development, use of property, development of facilities, and fiscal and
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human resources management at the Cal State University campuses.
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11.
Respondent CHARLES B. REED is the Chief Executive Officer and Chancellor of the
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Cal State University, reporting to the Board of Trustees. The Chancellor leads the Cal State
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University system, assists the various campuses in carrying out the mission of the Cal State
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University, and works cooperatively with campuses to design and implement system-wide
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initiatives, among other duties.
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FACTS
12.
JENNIE DOE is an eighteen-year-old college student enrolled in an undergraduate
course of study at the Cal State University, Los Angeles. She is a native-born United States citizen
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
1
and California resident who has lived in Los Angeles County for her entire life. For the past nine
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years she has lived in El Monte, California with her parents and four younger siblings.
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13.
JENNIE DOE has, at all times, established a permanent home address in California,
attending public schools from kindergarten through high school and earning her High School
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Diploma from the local public high school in June of 2006 with a 4.0 Grade Point Average in her
final semester. She was awarded a private scholarship for $1,000 towards her college education
based on her academic achievement and extra-curricular community involvement.
14.
JENNIE DOE has a government-issued California Identification Card, is registered to
vote in the State of California and maintains checking and savings accounts at a bank in California.
15.
JENNIE DOE was accepted for admission at the Cal State University, Los Angeles as an
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entering student for the fall semester of 2006. In a letter dated July 20, 2006, she was informed by
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the Cal State University, Los Angeles that she was classified as a “nonresident” student and would
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therefore be required to pay out-of-state tuition at a rate of $11,444 rather than the much less
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expensive “resident” tuition rate of $3,080. The letter also explained that no state financial aid
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would be included in her financial aid package despite the fact that JENNIE DOE was pre-approved
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for a state financial aid in the amount of $1551, as detailed in her Cal Grant award notification letter
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dated May 25, 2006.
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16.
Shortly after receiving the notice of her “nonresident” classification, JENNIE DOE
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personally went to Cal State University, Los Angeles to complain about the decision. At that time,
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university officials explained that the “nonresident” classification was based on a finding that
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JENNIE DOE’S parents are undocumented immigrants.
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17.
Left with no other option, JENNIE DOE filed an application for a “nonresident” tuition
exemption pursuant to Education Code § 68130.5, also known as AB 540. While this cured the
immediate problem of having to pay the higher out-of-state tuition fees, it did not rectify her
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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“nonresident” classification nor cure JENNIE DOE financial aid dilemma. As a result, JENNIE
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DOE lost her pre-approved Cal Grant award and is currently ineligible to receive any state financial
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assistance to subsidize her college education.
18.
On or about August 29, 2006, JENNIE DOE challenged her “nonresident” classification
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by filing an administrative appeal with the Office of General Counsel of the Cal State University.
Attached to her appeal were copies of numerous documents supporting her claim that she is a bona
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fide California resident, such as her high school transcript, California Identification Card,
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confirmation of California voter registration, and checking and savings account statements. The
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appeal, however, was denied.
19.
Shortly thereafter, JENNIE DOE filed a written request for reconsideration of the denial
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of California residency classification to Chancellor REED, the Cal State University Board of
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Trustees and President Rosser, asking them to rescind their policy of denying residency to United
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States citizen children based solely on the parents’ immigration status. In a letter dated October 5,
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2006, the request for reconsideration was formally denied.
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APPLICABLE LAW
California Residency Rules
20.
Pursuant to the Education Code (“Educ. Code”), each college student is classified as
either a “resident” or “nonresident” for tuition purposes. Educ. Code § 68040; 5 CCR § 41904.
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Only nonresident students are charged higher non-resident tuition and fees. Educ. Code §§ 68050,
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68052. Additionally, only California residents are eligible to receive state financial aid such as that
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provided by the Cal Grant Program. Educ. Code §§ 69433.5 and 69535.
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21.
To be deemed a resident for tuition and financial aid purposes, a student must have
resided in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date.
Educ. Code § 68017; 5 CCR § 41904. The residence determination date is a date or day set by the
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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governing boards or district governing boards for each semester, quarter, or term to determine a
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student’s residence. Educ. Code § 68023.
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22.
The residence of the parent with whom an unmarried minor child maintains his or her
place of abode is the residence of the unmarried minor child. Educ. Code § 68062 (f).
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23.
An alien, including an unmarried minor alien, may establish his or her residence, unless
precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101, et seq.) from establishing
domicile in the United States. Educ. Code § 68062 (h).
24.
California residence is established with physical presence in California for at least one
year and the intent to make California one’s residence. Educ. Code §§ 68017, 68062(d); 5 CCR §§
41904 and 41905.
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25.
Although no single factor is controlling or decisive, relevant indicia of intent to make
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California one’s residence include the following: (1) voting in elections in California and not in any
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other state; (2) satisfying resident State personal income tax obligations; (3) establishing an abode
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in the state where one's belongings are kept; (4) maintaining active savings and checking accounts
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in California banks; (5) showing California as home address on federal income tax forms; (6) and
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the absence of these indicia outside California during any period for which a residence in California
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is asserted. 5 CCR § 41905
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26.
A student classified as a nonresident may apply for reclassification if she demonstrates
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three requirements: (1) presence in California for at least one year, Educ. Code §§ 68017, 68062(d);
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(2) intent to make California one’s residence, Educ. Code §§ 68017, 68062(d); and (3) financial
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independence, Educ. Code § 68044.
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27.
The Cal State University has promulgated rules implementing Educ. Code § 68044, and
the Chancellor of the Cal State University enjoys discretion to establish procedures and make,
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
1
where appropriate and consistent with the Education Code, all determinations “with respect to
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applicability, exemptions, and waivers of non-resident tuition and fees.” 5 CCR § 41912.
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28.
The Cal State University has implemented its appeal process, providing that “any
student, following a final campus decision concerning the student's residence classification, may
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make written appeal to the Office of General Counsel in the Chancellor’s Office within 120
calendar days of notification of the final campus decision.” Educ. Code § 68044; 5 CCR § 41908.
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The Office of General Counsel may decide the issue, or it may send the matter back to the
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institution with instructions for a further review. 5 CCR § 41908.
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Waiver of Nonresident Tuition Fee
29.
The governing boards may waive nonresident tuition in whole or in part for eligible
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students. Educ. Code § 68130. To qualify for such a nonresident tuition exemption, also known as
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AB 540, at the Cal State University, a student must meet three requirements: (1) high school
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attendance in California for three or more years; (2) graduation for a California high school or
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attainment of the equivalent thereof; and (3) registration as an entering student at, current
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enrollment at, an accredited institution of higher education in California. Educ. Code § 68130.5.
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State Financial Aid and the Cal Grant Program
30.
The Cal Grant Program is a form of California financial aid assistance available to needy
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California residents. Educ. Code § 69433 et seq. The purpose of the award is to apply towards
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tuition and student fees at a public colleges and universities in California. Educ. Code § 69434. In
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order to be eligible for a Cal Grant award, a student must be a United States citizen or an eligible
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noncitizen, among other eligibility guidelines. Educ. Code § 69433.9(a). Only residents of
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California are eligible for an initial Cal Grant award. Educ. Code §§ 69433.5 and 69535. Those
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who meet the qualifications for a Cal Grant “shall be guaranteed an award.” Educ. Code § 69434.
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
1
California Constitution
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31.
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Article I, Section 7 of the California Constitution provides that “a person may not be
deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the
laws.”
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FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Code of Civil Procedure §1085)
Violation of Educ. Code §§ 68017, 68062, 69433.5 and 69535
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32.
Petitioners reallege and incorporate by reference each and every allegation contained in
paragraph 1 through 31, inclusive.
33.
Petitioners are entitled to a writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure §1085 in that
Respondents have a clear, present and ministerial duty to administer the residency requirements at
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the Cal State University in conformity with Educ. Code §§ 68017 and 68062. Petitioners have
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violated these residency statutes by requiring California residents to pay out of state tuition (Educ.
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Code §§ 68050, 68052), and by denying California financial aid to eligible California residents.
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Educ. Code §§ 69433.5 and 69535. While Education Code § 68062 prohibits undocumented
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students from claiming California resident status for tuition and financial aid purposes, it does not
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contain a similar prohibition for citizen minors with undocumented parents. Respondents’ policy
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and practice of refusing to provide California residence to United States citizen children for tuition
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and state financial aid purposes solely because of the immigration status of the parents is a violation
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of Education Code §§ 68017, 68062, 69433.5 and 69535.
34.
At all times, Respondents have and continue to have the legal ability to perform their
duties but have failed to do so.
35.
Petitioners have a beneficial interest in Respondents’ performance of their legal duties to
administer the residency rules in accordance with the law.
36.
Petitioners have no plain, speedy, or adequate remedy in the course of the law.
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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37.
An actual controversy exists between Petitioner and Respondents concerning their rights,
privileges, and obligations in that Petitioners contend that Respondents’ above-mentioned actions
violate state law, and Respondents contend in all respects to the contrary
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SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Cal. Code of Civ. Proc § 1085)
Equal Protection Violation (Cal. Const. Art. I, § 7)
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38.
Petitioners reallege and incorporate by reference each and every allegation contained in
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paragraph 1 through 37, inclusive.
39.
Petitioners are entitled to a writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure §1085 in that
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Respondents have a clear, present and ministerial duty to administer the residency requirements at
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the Cal State University in conformity with the California Constitution. Respondents’ policy and
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practice of refusing to provide California residence to United States citizen children for tuition and
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state financial aid purposes solely because of the immigration status of their parents denies these
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children equal protection of the laws in violation of Article I, Section 7 of the California
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Constitution.
40.
At all times, Respondents have and continue to have the legal ability to perform their
duties but has failed to do so.
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Petitioners have a beneficial interest in Respondents’ performance of their legal duties to
administer the residency rules in accordance with the law.
42.
Petitioners have no plain, speedy, or adequate remedy in the course of the law.
43.
An actual controversy exists between Petitioner and Respondents concerning their rights,
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privileges, and obligations in that Petitioners contend that Respondents’ above-mentioned actions
violate state law, and Respondents contend in all respects to the contrary.
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
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WHEREFORE, Petitioners request the following relief:
1. A declaration that the method of administration of the California residency scheme at the
Cal State University, by conditioning tuition and financial aid to citizen children on the immigration
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status of their parents, is a violation of Educ. Code §§ 68017, 68062, 69433.5 and 69535, and
Article I, Section 7 of the California Constitution.
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2. A writ of mandate pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1085 ordering Respondents to
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comply with the residency laws, in particular Education Code §§ 68017 and 68062, and to cease
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denying California residency status to United States citizens students solely because of their
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parents’ immigration status.
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3. Refund Petitioner JENNIE DOE the costs of tuition of fees incurred as a result of
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Respondents’ denial of California residency classification.
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4. Award Petitioners the reasonable costs of suit;
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5. Award Petitioners their reasonable attorneys’ fees.
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6. Such other relief as this court may deem just and proper.
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DATED: November 1, 2006
Respectfully submitted,
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP
IVOR E. SAMSON
MARY KAY LACEY
DAVID H. STERN
MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE
AND EDUCATIONAL FUND
DOVIE YOANA KING
CYNTHIA VALENZUELA
WESTERN CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY,
INC.
DORA LUNA
RICHARD A. ROTHSCHILD
ROBERT D. NEWMAN
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
TANYA BRODER
NILTON JOAQUIN
By:
DOVIE YOANA KING
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Attorneys for Petitioners
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
VERIFICATION
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I am the attorney for the Petitioners in this action. I have read this petition and I am
informed and believe that the matters therein are true, and on that ground allege that the matters
stated therein are true. I verify this petition, in accordance with Civ. Pro. Code § 446, because
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the facts are within my knowledge.
Executed this 1st day of November 2006, at Los Angeles, California
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___________________________________
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Dovie Yoana King
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE